Forgiveness and receiving pardon is an essential part of faith in Islam, but this becomes even more vital in the holy month of Ramadan.
This blessed month of reflection provides an opportunity in regards to one’s relationship with Allah (SWT) for prayer, atonement and fasting. This in turn provides the hope of earning Allah’s (SWT) Mercy and of having one’s sins completely erased via repentance, provided that we as Muslims are sincere from our hearts and truly regret and repent of our sins and misdeeds.
The concept of repentance and being forgiven for one’s sins in Ramadan is through asking Allah (SWT) to forgive continuously in this month of mercy, as good deeds of kindness, prayer and reading the Quran are multiplied by up to 700 times more than usual. If a servant spends the night of Laylat-al-Qadr asking for forgiveness, he or she will have all sins erased. This is why the night is known as more critical than 1000 months.
There are many teachings on forgiveness in the Hadith and verses of the holy Quran as Allah (SWT) loves to forgive. There are many surahs in the Quran, demonstrating the ways in which Allah (SWT) is the Most Merciful.
A few examples include:
“And whoever does evil, or wrongs his soul, but afterwards seeks Allah’s forgiveness, will find Allah is Forgiving, Compassionate.” (Quran 4: 110)
“Whether you reveal a good act or keep it hidden, or pardon an evil act, Allah is Ever-Pardoning, All-Powerful.” (Quran 4:149)
“If anyone continually asks pardon, Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress, and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide for him from where he did not reckon.” [Book 8, Hadith 1513; Abu Dawood].
“The smell from the mouth of a fasting person is sweeter in the sight of Allah than the fragrant smell of musk. For believers who engage in the fast, the fish in the sea seek forgiveness until they break their fast. Paradise is decorated every day for the person who fasts; the evil-minded Satan is chained; and on the last night of Ramadan, all their sins are forgiven.” (Ahmad)
“I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: Allah the Almighty said: O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky, and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me; I would forgive you. O son of Adam were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it.” (Hadith 34, 40 Hadith Qudsi)
